sizing chart

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Warm up the right way.

The start of 'cross season signals the arrival of crisp, chilly mornings and warm afternoons with plenty of colorful foliage in between — if you ask us, perfect racing weather. It's also the time of year when your pre-race warm-up takes on a more literal meaning, and getting your engine up to speed on chilly mornings can sometimes be a challenge. Save the hooded sweatshirt for post-race lounging, and make sure your body is as ready to race as your mind is with Castelli's Cross Prerace Jacket.

Simplicity is consistently a hallmark of Castelli's designs, and the Cross Prerace Jacket is no exception. The jacket has a sleek, functional design that isn't weighed down by unnecessary extras that only distract from pre-race rituals. Castelli recommends it in temperatures ranging from 41 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but our experience suggests it can go colder than that during stationary warm-ups.

The jacket's front panels and sleeves are packed with insulating PrimaLoft 60 and a Toray 30g water-repellent coating — because not every race morning is going to be sunny. The PrimaLoft ensures the heat you create during your warm-up laps stays inside your body's microclimate, while water-repellent Nano Flex fleece provides ventilation and keeps the jacket breathable along your back to help lessen the likelihood of overheating.

Castelli gives you plenty of room to store keys, gels, or any other pre-race essentials in the jacket's zippered front pocket and three external rear pockets. Expect the Cross Prerace jacket to fit streamlined but with some extra room compared to some of Castelli's slimmer, race-cut apparel. This jacket is made to be worn over your race jersey, so it gives you room to move around while warming up and is quick and easy to slip off when it's time to head to the start line.

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Nice - WAY TO SMALL

Fit: Runs small

Size Bought: Large

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 225lbs

I gave it 3 because it was really nice once I got it. This was 2 sizes to small. I bought a large I needed a XXL for it to work. My wife is normally a small or med in men's size. The large was ok with minimal layers underneath. No way it would work for cool weather rides.

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Small with only one hand warmer pocket.

Familiarity: I returned this product before using it

Fit: Runs small

Size Bought: Medium

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 143lbs

Not what I was looking for. This jacket is small even in Castelli world! Would only fit over a skinsuit for a stick-sized racer. On the short side too! It has only one hand warmer pocket on the left side, so your right hand only can get cold during it's intended purpose (keeping you warm waiting in race-start heating). On the plus side: it looks cool, has a nice large zipper without a garage (which for me always gets in the way of the zipper not allowing it to go up fully--have to take gloves off to get zippers into the "garages"). Also this jacket features Castelli's on-the-bike-only fit, which again defeats the purpose of a warm-up jacket. This one is really only useful while on the bike and if you size up. A much better option for a warm-up jacket for me (as well as a casual athletic or commuting jacket) is the GORE WINDSTOPPER THERMO jacket: two hand warmer pockets, and a club fit that will fit over a race thermal jersey.

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Great jacket, lousy fit

Familiarity: I've used it several times

Fit: Runs small

Size Bought: XL

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 152lbs

I bought this to wear in between rides, and it is exactly as described as far as comfort, quality and finish. I even wore it on a short hike in low 40s temp here in Colorado and it was wasrm yet breathed, and I only wore a light base layer rollneck top underneath. The longer back like all Castelli jackets means you could even wear on a bike ride low on the bars and it would be comfortable. My only and continuing gripe is the size fittings are WAY off. The almost pretentious commentary from the sales staff here and Castelli agents that I have spoken with that, this is "European fit" is complete BS. If the Castelli chart says a large fits 35" waist, why is it that when I Bought the L, and I have a 31-32 waist, I can't zip it closed and the arms are short, chest is tight and overall pincer fit. BTW I am EUROPEAN, fit and in shape from all my riding, so why do I have to buy XL here and the previous Castelli jacket, 2XL to fit in the bloody thing?! I get the impression that Castelli has lost all control on its sizing and for inane reasons refuses to acknowledge this, and will not fix this issue. It's one thing to size up occasionally for race fit clothes, but to have to go from what should be medium to 2 XL is idiotic. I really like the materials, designs, colors etc, but if Nalini can sell bike clothing that is much closer to described sizing, why doesn't Castelli? I sound a TON of money on gear, and expect better from businesses that charge a hefty premium. So in this case I bought two jackets, L and XZl just in case, and you guessed it, returned the L because it was an impossible fit. Size up 2-3, pretend you are Donald Trump in the size charts and you won't be embarrassed to order XXL, and you won't be disappointed by fit. Nuff said.

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Very multipurpose jacket

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Fit: True to size

Size Bought: XL

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 170lbs

Bought this jacket because I was looking for a cycling branded jacket to wear casually or for early morning family rides around the neighborhood. This jacket does both. It is cut and fits in the traditional Castelli race style but it leaves room for a cycling jacket or jersey underneath. So if you're like me and wear XL tops keep that sizing for this jacket.

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Runs Smaller than all other Castelli pro

Fit: Runs small

Size Bought: XL

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 205lbs

Nice looking jacket that is ONLY for riding. I purchased an XL which is what I wear for Castelli jerseys. It was too small and I'm ordering an XXL. The fit it not only form fit, it is form fit specifically to RIDING position. Don't buy this for a walk around town jacket. It's not gonna feel good unless you are bent over the bike.